Mumbai, Mulund, June 2018: A 14-year-old Mulund resident, Suhana Sheikh comes across as a regular teenager who has an avid interest in dance and leads a normal life. However, two years ago, the story was different; Suhana was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart was unable to pump blood leading to an enlargement, further affecting the blood supply towards the lungs, liver and other organs.

Suhana started experiencing stomach pains and visited her local doctor to get assessed. She was diagnosed with jaundice and subsequently put on medications. When her condition did not improve, her parents consulted another physician, who recommended her to undergo a few tests; these revealed that her Heart was unable to pump blood efficiently and was gradually leading to heart failure. After diagnosing her with dilated cardiomyopathy, she was referred to Fortis Hospital, Mulund. In need of a heart transplant, the family’s worries increased as that was her only chance at survival.

Azad Shaikh, Suhana’s father, a bus driver by profession, went from pillar to post seeking funds for his ailing daughter. With help coming in from trusts, NGOs etc., the next big challenge for the family the wait time, to get a compatible organ. On August 20th, 2017, their prayers were answered when the family of a 47yr old woman in Mumbai consented to donate her organs, following a tragic intracranial bleed which left her brain dead. Dr. Anvay Mulay, Head Cardiac Transplant Team, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, performed the life-saving transplant on Suhana; she responded well to the surgery and was on her way to a full recovery.

Keeping in mind post-op guidelines, her parents jotted down all the necessary precautions to be undertaken and made sure she maintains a healthy routine, importantly, take her medications on time. She was kept away from overcrowded places so that she wouldn’t come in contact with any infection. Eight months since her transplant, Suhana’s parents are now hoping that they receive some financial aid to bear her post-op medication.

Speaking about the case, Dr. Swati Garekar, Paediatric Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, who treated Suhana said, “She was admitted with only 20 percent of heart functionality, which further dropped to 10 percent. She had a speedy recovery post-transplant; today, her heart is functioning well and she is back to her regular routine. We have been monitoring her progress and have also cut down on her medications; due to these changes she has started gaining weight, which is a good sign”.

Speaking about their journey, Suhana’s father Mr. Sheikh said, “We are very thankful to the donor family and Fortis Hospital, Mulund for giving my daughter a second life. Our daughter is positive and wants to become a cardiac surgeon once she grows up so that she can help people in a similar way. Back to school now, she continues to follow her passion for dance and would like to compete one day in a dance show”

Though she has fought back this difficult phase of her life and there is no major medical concern, the young girl must be on lifelong immunosuppressant’s which cost the family 14,000 rupees a month. The only bread earner is her father who is a BEST driver and cannot manage her medical expenses. The family has made an appeal to help fund Suhana’s medical expenses so that she can go on and lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 06, 2018 11:40 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).